CostIndexUSA

Durham, NC vs Manchester, NH Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNC
Durham
97.6
overall index
$1,650/mo rent
NH
Manchester
105.7
overall index
$2,100/mo rent

Durham is moderately cheaper than Manchester — 8.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Durham, you would need $86,600 in Manchester. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+35.7%
Durham
98.9
Manchester
134.2
🛒 Groceries+1.1%
Durham
96.6
Manchester
97.7
🚗 Transportation+5.6%
Durham
103.1
Manchester
108.9
🏥 Healthcare+5.6%
Durham
93.3
Manchester
98.5
Utilities+49.5%
Durham
89.3
Manchester
133.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Durham to see what you'd need to earn in Manchester to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Manchester, NH
$86,600
$6,600 more needed in Manchester

Formula: salary × (105.7 ÷ 97.6) = salary × 1.0830. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Durham, NC

Median Home Price
$402,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650
Housing Index
98.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.3×

Manchester, NH

Median Home Price
$503,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
134.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.0×

Manchester has 35.7% higher housing costs compared to Durham.

Income & Job Market

Durham, NC

Median Household Income
$83,300
Per Capita Income
$47,500
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
278,993
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareEducationResearchFinance

Manchester, NH

Median Household Income
$103,700
Per Capita Income
$59,100
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
Population
115,644
Top Industries
HealthcareFinanceTechnologyManufacturingRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Durham, NC
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Manchester, NH
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.